This guide can be used to assist in the identification
of snakes in the Central/Alice Springs Region of the
Northern Territory. Snakes are incredibly variable in
colour, even within species. Any handling of snakes
or confirmation of identification should be left to the
experts.
For snake enquires or removals please contact:
1800 453 210
What to do if you see a snake
Stay calm.
Keep children and pets away from the area.
Maintain a safe distance from the snake.
Watch the snake.
If you can confidently identify the snake as harmless,
leave it be.
• If you are unsure of the identification of the snake,
take a photograph. Call: 1800 453 210
How to keep snakes away
Common
Snakes and Lizards
of Central Australia
Max. Length: 2.5m
Perentie Varanus giganteus, Long neck, solid build with a long tapering tail,
typically brown coloured with large cream spotted markings.
Photo: Phil Mangion
Max. Length: 55cm
Bearded Dragon Pogona vitticeps, wide, low body, spiky-looking scales
around lower jaw and lower edges of the body, triangle shaped head,
colour is variable.
Photo: Gary Vas
• Keep your yard clutter free. Clutter provides warm,
dark areas where snakes like to hide.
• Avoid tall growing grass and dense shrubs; unkempt
grass and dense vegetation provides hiding places
for snakes.
• Undertake regular pest control, as pests, such as
rats, provide a food source for snakes.
• Remove ground level water sources that snakes may
be drawn to drink or swim in. Water also provides a
habitat for frogs, an important food source for some
species of snakes.
• Patch up any holes; by blocking all access points into
your home, snakes will be unable to enter. Carefully
inspect your property and if you notice any holes, no
matter how small, patch them up.
• Use snake and rodent mesh. Household pets like
chickens, birds, rabbits and guinea-pigs are all food
items for snakes. Keep your pets safe by lining their
cages with snake and rodent mesh.
Various species of lizard are found in the Centre. The
most common type of lizard, which may be unwelcome
around your home, is the Monitor Lizard, also known as a
Goanna. Monitor Lizards have sharp claws and teeth and
some are very large and powerful. Larger animals can also
use their tails to deliver a hefty blow. Whilst these lizards
are not venomous, they can inflict nasty wounds and
prey on small pets. If you encounter a lizard and it is not
presenting a problem to you, simply let it go on its way.
In cases of larger, perhaps threatening lizards, do not try
and catch, corner or kill the animal. Contact 1800 453 210 for further advice.
Photo: Phil Mangion
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Lizards
Max. Length: 50cm
Delma sp. Note: this is a legless lizard, ear holes present,
broad fleshy tongue, colour is variable.
www.nt.gov.au
Photo: Brendan Schembri
Photo: Phil Mangion
Max. Length: 80cm
Max. Length: 1.5m
Yellow-faced Whip Snake Demansia psammophis, quick moving, whip like
tail, dark tear shape under eye.
Photo: Tom Parkin
Photo: Gary Vas
Max. Length: 2.7m
Western Brown Snake Pseudonaja mengdeni, defined scales, commonly has
orange spots on underbelly, colour and pattern can vary greatly. Two of
the most common colour forms shown above.
Woma Python Aspidites ramsayi - brown-reddish-tan and cream bands,
heavy bodied. Most active at night, eats birds, mammals, reptiles, ground
dwelling.
Photo: Matt Summerville
Photo: Gary Vas
Max. Length: 2.5m
Centralian Carpet Python Morelia spilota bredli, defined head and jaw,
orange to brown colouration with cream and black patterning.
Stay calm.
Minimise mobility.
Call 000
Apply pressure to the wound. A pressure
bandage should be applied firmly to the
entire limb or wound area, but not so tight
that it stops blood flow.
• Splint limb.
Snake facts
• Snake venom is designed to kill prey, not
people. Snakes are scared of people and
only bite out of fear. Most bites occur
when people try to corner, capture or kill
snakes. Pick up the phone, not the snake.
• Snakes play an essential role in the
environment. They help keep rat and mice
populations at bay. Having them around
your property may deter pests from your
home.
• In the Northern Territory, permits are
required to keep snakes. They must not be
acquired from the wild.
Key to snake identification
Photo: Brendan Schembri
Photo: Brendan Schembri
Curl Snake Suta suta, ochre/orange colouration, darker head and neck, solid
build.
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Max. Length: 2.5m
Mulga Snake (King Brown) Pseudechis australis, large, defined scales, heavy
bodied, colour can vary greatly; typically creamy yellow to black in colour.
Max. Length: 1m
Snake bite first aid
Max. Length: 1.2m
Stimsons Python Antaresia stimsoni, darker splotches (mottled colour),
defined head and jaw, lighter underbelly, cream to dark brown in colour.
Nonvenomous
Eats
Mammals
Climbing
Mildly
venomous
Eats
Reptiles
Most active
in the day
Highly
venomous
Eats
Frogs
Ground
dwelling
Eats
Insects
Eats
Birds
Most active
in the night